Printing mechanism



April 30, 1929. J. A. HULT PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet ammo dot 016 a. M

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Site: nhwd April 30, 1929.

J. A. H ULT PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 1.927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 30, 1929. j HULT 1,711,148

PRINTING MECHANISM.

Filed July 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmnl oo April 30, 1929. J HULT 1 ,7l1,148

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 1927 4 Sheets- -Sheet 4 l Y printing means adapted to be readily located Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES I 1,711,148 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. HULT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN MTIIL'IIGRAJPH COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

PRINTING MECHANISM.

Application filed July 8,

attached to a multigraph to'print the signature on a letter printed on the multigraph. The mechanism of the present invention is an improvement on that of Patent No. 1,117,- 751 granted November 17th, 1914 to The American Multigraph Company as assignee of William R. 'Allen. The primary feature of the present invention comprises signature in any desired position transversely of the sheet. Accessibility of the signature rollerfor convenient mounting of the signature plate, is also a feature; also a laterally adjustable paper feeding mechanism; also various details of construction contributing to the efficiency of the mechanism. The in-' vention illustrated in the accompanying drawings will hereinafter be more fully described.

In thefdrawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a multigraph with my signature attachment mounted "thereon Fig. 2 is a substantial vertical section (partly broken out) on a plane indicated by the line 2-2 on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the mul- -tigraph and signature attachment, looking in the opposite direction to Fig. 1 and indicated by the line '3-3 on Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sections on their respective "numbered lines on Fig. 2, looking toward the right of that figure; Fig. 61s a sectional plan of the-inking mechanism for the signature roller, on a plane indicated by the line 66 on 1; Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating the slidable mounting of one of the end members of the signature roller; Fig. 8 is a perspective of the sliding key shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is an approximately horizontal crosssection through the main cam and its roller, as indicated by the line 9-9 on Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating the sliding connection of the mechanism for lowering the signature roller, being a substantially vertical section on the line 10-10 on Fig. 4; Fig. 11 is a perspective of one ofthe members of the variable coupling for driving the signature roller; Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of the signature attachment; Fig. 13 is a detail in side elevation of the double-acting spring mechanism for positioning the cam arm.

In Figs. 1 and 3 I have shown the multigraph frame comprising vertical end plates 10 and 11 carried by a base portion 12.

1927. sum No. 204,175.

suitable under-rolling platen 17 coacts with.

18 desigsuch 'areuate printing member.

nates a ribbon on the drum extending about i the printing surface. These parts are usual in a multigraph.

Secured to the rear side of the base frame 12-of the multigraph, is a base frame 20 of the signature attachment having end. plates 21 and 22. Suitably carried by these end plates is the shaft on which is mounted ee centrically a sleeve 32, journalled on which is a cylindrical sleeve 34 which I call the signature roller. This roller carries an arcuate s1gnature printing plate 35 which is adapted to coact with a rotary platen. The signature plate is inked by engagement with a transfer roller5l, which coacts with an absorbent supply roller 52, and thus a sheet passed rearwardly from the multigraph be tween the supplemental printing couple described, may have the signature printed thereon. J

The eccentric 32 is normally in the position shown in Fig. 2, maintaining the signature roller out of contact with the platen roller 40 but in contact with the ink transfer roller 51. Suitable gearing hereinafter described constantly drives the shaft 30 and the shaft carrying the transfer roller, and thus.

maintains the signature plate inked. At the proper time the eccentric sleeve 32 is turned to lower the slgnature roller 34 into positionto coact with the platen roller 40. Mechanisin for effecting this will now be described.

In Figs. 1, 4;, 5, 9 and 12, appears a grooved cam mounted on a stud 61 carried by the frame plate 22. This cam member has external gear teeth 63 by which it is geared with the shafts 30 and 50 and the multigraph machine, as hereinafter explained. Pivoted to the frame plate 22 is an arm which may swing either way from its normal position and carries a roller 71 which may occupy the groove 65 of the cam or engage the exterior of the cam. 7 3 to a rock arm 7 4 rigid on a rock shaft 75, journalled in the frame members21 and 22. Splined on this rock shaft is a double armed rock lever 77, shown in Fig. 12 and in dotted line in Fig. 4. Loosely mounted on the rock shaft is a lever 80, which has a pair of arouate slots 81 and 82 concentric with the rock This arm isconnected by a link shaft. Suitable screws 83 and 84 pass through these slots and clamp the arm 80 adjustably to the lever 77 A link 85 connects the lower end of the lever 80 with an arm 87 on the end of the eccentric sleeve 32.

It results from the above construction that as the cam is rotated, the shaft is rocked, first in one direction and then in the other, and this rocking turns down the eccentric sleeve 32 to bring the signature plate to active position for printing, and thereafter- 35 and also to vary the intensity of inking,

or, as it is called, depth of impression.

The gearing between the multigraph drum and the signature attachment may be set, as explained inthe Allen atent mentioned, and as hereinafter descri ed, to cause the camfiO to turn downthe signature plate at any desired time with reference to the drum, and this locates the signature at the proper vertical position on the page to come beneath the matter printed It is desirable however, that the signature be adjustable laterally on the page, and the provisions for that purpose constitute an important part of this invention. 2

The signature roller, the ink transfer roller and the felt supply roller, and certain paper feed rollers are all shiftable along their respective shafts, while the platen roller 40 is made-long enough so that a portion of' it will always be opposite the signature plate,

irrespectlve of the position of the latter. The eccentricoperating link and its driving levers 77 and 80 are alsoshiftable along the shaft 75 simultaneously with the signature roller. Thus the arm 77 is splined to the rock shaft 75, and the eccentric sleeve 32 is indirectly splined to the shaft 30 so that the mechanism for turning the eccentric and the signature roller are shiftable as a unit.

To look the turning mechanism in position without moving its shaft, I provide intermediate members, as follows, namel The set screw (Fig. 10) on the arm 7 bears against a key 91-which occupies the keyway 92 in the shaft 75. This ke has outwardl projecting end portions, so that it must shi t with the arm 77. It furnishes at once the desired splined connection between the arm and the shaft and also a distribution block between the -set screw and the bottom of the keyway.

'The set' screw 94 (Figs. 2 and 6) for locking the transfer roller 51 to -theshaft 50, is located in a collar 95 surrounding a slotted extension of the hub sleeve 96 of that roller and the set screw thus binds this hub extension \onto the shaft 50. The felt roller 52 is loose on its shaft-54 but it carries a disc 55, the edge of which occupies an annular groove 97 in the collar 95 so that these two inking rollers cannot shift independently of each other. The arm 87 attached to the eccentric sleeve 32 spreads out into a sector, as shown in Fig. 4, which overlaps the end of the hub 96 of the roller 51 and thus furnishes a gauge for bringing that roller into proper relation with the set eccentric.

As the adjustment between the eccentric sleeve 32 and the rock shaft 75, heretofore described, will change the relation of the signature roller 34 to the axis of the shaft 30, it is desirable to provide a shiftable coupling between them, and at the same time, since the signature device shifts longitudinally on the shaft it is desirable that such coupling be of such form that it will not separate during shifting. To effect this, I provide a modified form of Oldham coupling, illustrated in Figs. 2, 7, 11 and 12. That is to say, in the right hand end of the signature roller 34 is a diametric pair of undercut or dovetailed notches; adjacent this end is a ring 100 having a pair of flaring or dovetailed ribs 101 occupying such notches. On the opposite side of this ring are dovetailed ribs 102 located 90 from the ribs 101.- These ribs occupy diametric undercut-grooves. in a collar 105, splined to the shaft 30.

This splining of the collar 105 on the shaft 30 is effected in a manner similar to that described for the arm 7 7. That is to say there is a keyway 106 in the shaft and this is occupied by a key 107 (Figs. 7 and 8) which extends through the collar and has end projections 108 overlapping-the collar, the collar being recessed on the left side to receive such projection. The set screw 109 forces this key against the shaft.

It must be understood from the description given, that the printing roller with its eccentric mounting, and its movably connected driving collar 105, are all shiftable as a unit on the shaft 30 coincident with that of the eccentric rocking mechanism on the shaft 75. If this shifting is toward the right in Fig. 2, it may carry the inking rollers with it, by reason of the overlap ing sector arm 87; if it is toward the left, t 1e signature roller and operating arts may be carried away from the inking rollhrs, and thereafter the inking roller brought up to position until the hub 96 of the roller 51 abuts the arm 87.

The provision just described for separating the inking rollers from the signature roller, enables the inking rollers to be shoved to the right independently'of the signature roller to entirely clear the same, so that the signature pl'ate may be easily installed on the roller 34. This installation may be readily accomplished by suitable screws passing into the signature roller and overlapping the signature plate or by clips, indicated at 109 (Fig. 2) on the signature roller.

I utilize the long platen roller 40 as one member of a rotary delivery system for the signature attachment. The other members comprise rollers 110 and 111 splined on the shaft and shiftable longitudinally, as desired. The roller 111 is preferably hollowed,

on its left side or made cup-shape, as shown at 112, to enable it to pass over the driving collar 105 of the shiftable coupling, if desired.

The platen roller is preferably eccentrically mounted to obtainadjust ment for different thicknesses ofpaper. To this end, the elastic surface surrounds a shaft 120 (Fig. 2) which is journalled on eccentric studs 121 and 122 projecting from pins 123 and 124 rotatively carried in the respective frame plates 21 and 22, and clamped by suitable set screws 125 and 126. This adjustment for both the printing and feeding takes care of the different thicknesses of paper. The adjustment heretofore described, in the eccentric operating mechanism, allows for a different thickness of signature plate 35 and different depth of impression. Lateral adjustment of the signature printing members enables the positioning of this signature as desired, laterally on the sheet, while the adjustment of the feed rollers provides for different widths of sheet.

As heretofore explained, the adjustment of the signature for different positions up and down the sheet, is provided by the gearing connecting it with the multigraph, which will now. be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the multigraph drum is provided with a gear 130. This gear, besides meshing with a gear 131 on the multigraph platen and the gear 132 on the multigraph ejector mechanism, meshes with a gear135 connecting with the signature attachment. This gear 135, as explained in the Allen patent referred to, is shiftable into and out of mesh with the multigraph gear, thus entirely freeing the signature attachment, whereby the latter may be set in any position with reference to the matter on the drum. The gear 135, when in mesh with the multigraph gear 130, also meshes with a gear 140 rigid on theshaft 30. This gear 140 meshesalso with a gear 144 which meshes with a gear 145 on the shaft 54 of the inking supply roller, and this gear 145 meshes also with a gear 145 on the shaft of the trans fer roller. on the shaft 30 is a pinion 147 (Fig. 2) meshing withthe spur gear63 formed on the cam 60. g

The Allen patent referred to, provides the cam roller 71 in such manner that it may be entirely withdrawn from the cam to disconnect the signature operation without changing the gear connection to the multigraph. A similar arrangement is shown in,

Fig. 9, wherein this roller 71is mounted on the end of a rod 170 which is slidably mounted in a housing 171 carried by a rock arm and pressed toward the cam by a spring 172. A head 173 on the rod furnishes means for moving it longitudinally, and if drawn out into a position to clear the cam, it will be locked in that position by a spring 17 4, engaging anotch in the rod, this spring being strong enough to hold the rod with the spring 17 2 compressed. A slight pressure however, on the end of the rod, will release it from the spring and restore it to position.

As the rock arm moves in each direction from its normal position of re'st,thc roller, part of the time, being in the cam groove 60, and, part of the time, about the periphery 64 of the cam,-the Allen patent referred to provides a pair of compression'springs acting alternately on a rod connected to the arm 70. However, it has been found difficult to maintain these springs with proper force relative to each other and I have accordingly provided the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 13, which I will now describe. A

The arm 70 which carries the cam roller 71 is rigid on a short rock shaft 80, while loose on the rock shaft are a pair of arms 181, which are connected by a tension spring 183 and thus normally drawn against an intermediate-stop rod 184, carried by the frame. The rock shaft 180 has an upward lug 185 occupying an arcuate notch 186 in the arm 181; the lug being normally in the right hand end of the slot '(Fig.. 13). Similarly the rock shaft has a downward lug 187 at the right hand end of an arcuate slot 188 in the arm 182. From this construction, it follows that if the arm 7 0 is swung to the right (Fig. 13 the arm 1811s lifted and the spring 183 stretched, while the arm 182 bearing against the underside of the rod 184 forms an anchor. If the arm 70 is swung to the left in this figure, the arm 182 is swung downwardly, stretching the spring 183 While the arm 181, engaging the top of the rod 184, acts as an anchor.- This mechanism has been found to be very satisfactory in holding the arm 70 normally in a definite intermediate position while allowing it to move in either direction therefrom,-as the cam groove and the periphery between the ends of the groove act'successively on the roller.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a nmltigraph, of a signature attachment comprising a signature carrying drum and a platen, means for rotating the drum, said drum hein so mounted that it may be shifted longitu 'inally into various positiohs and still be operable, the platen being long enough to accommodate all such positions without shifting. p

2. The combination of a multigraph, a signature attachment comprising a platen, a

drum carrying a signature plate, means for rotating the drum andplaten and for causing them to approach, characterized in that the signature drum is shiftable longitudinally Without disconnecting its operating mechanism, while the platen is long enough to accommodate without shifting all such positions of the drum.

3. The combination with a platen, of a roller adapted to carry a printing member, eccentric on which the roller is mounted, periodically acting mechanism for turning said eccentric to cause the roller to approach the platen or recede from it, the eccentric and its operating mechanism being shiftable longitudinally as a unit.

4. The combination of a platen, a shaft parallel therewith, an eccentric sleeve longitudinally shiftable on said shaft, a printing roller mounted on the sleeve, a second shaft parallel with the shaft first mentioned, mechanism mounted on the second shaft and longitudinally shiftable thereon for actuating such eccentric sleeve.

5. The combination of a platen, an eccentrio, a printing cylinder surrounding the eccentric, a rock shaft, means for rocking said shaft, an arm on said shaft, alink connecting said arm with an arm on the eccentric, said' arms, link and eccentric being shiftable longitudinally as a unit.

6. The combination, with a platen, of-a printing roller rotatably mounted and shiftable longitudinally, an ink transfer roller coacting with the printing roller, an ink supply roller coacting with the transfer roller, said supply roller and transfer roller being coupled together for unitary shifting longitudinally thereof, and means for preventing the transfer roller shifting beyond the printing roller in one direction but leaving it free to move in the opposite direction.

7. In a printing device, the combination of a platen, a shaft parallel therewith, an eccentric sleeve on the shaft, mechanism for turning said eccentric sleeve, a sleeve surrounding the eccentric sleeve, a signature plate removably attached to said surrounding sleeve, an ink supply roller. and an 1nk transfer roller engaging each other and shiftable -as a unit, said transfer roller beingadaptedto coact with the signature plate or be shifted out of registration therewith to allow the installation of such signature printing plate.

8. In a printing device the combination of a platen, a shaft parallel therewlth, an

eccentric sleeve on the shaft, a printing roller a surrounding said shaft and shiftable thereon, mechanism for turning said eccentric sleeve mounted on another shaft and also shiftable longitudinally, a printing sleeve surrounding the eccentric sleeve, an ink supply roller and an ink transfer roller engaging.

each other and shiftable as a unit, said transfer roller being adapted to coact with the printing sleeve or be shifted out of registration therewith.

9. In a printing machine, the combination of a shaft, an eccentric sleeve slid'ably mounted thereon, a printing sleeve surrounding the eccentric sleeve and a shiftable coupling connecting the shaft with the printing sleeve, said coupling being movably anchored to the printing sleeve whereby the coupling and sleeve may be shifted as a unit.

10. In a printing machine, the combination of a shaft, an eccentric sleeve slidably mounted thereon, a printing sleeve surrounding the eccentric sleeve, a collar slidable on the shaft and a shiftable coupling connecting the collar, with the printing sleeve, said coupling being movably anchored to the printing sleeve and to the collar whereby the coupling and sleeve may be shifted as-a unit.

11. In a printing machine, the combination of an axially shiftable roller, a shiftable driving member therefor, and a coupling between them comprising a ring having on one side a radial rib slidably engaging the roller and on the other side a radial rib at right angles of the first rib slidably engaging said member, each of said ribs flaring to have a dovetailed engagement with its coacting member.

12. In a printing machine, the combination of a shaft, a printing roller mounted thereon and shiftable longitudinally, a comparatively long non-shiftable roller platen with which the printing roller in various positions may coact, and a feeding'roller carried by said shaft and engaging the same platen beyond the printing roller.

13. In a printingmachine, the combination of a shaft, a printing roller mounted thereon, a platen with which the printing roller may coact, and a feeding roller carried by said shaft, said feeding roller being slidable on its shaft and being cup-shaped on the side adjacent the printing roller.

145. In a printing machine, the combination of a shaft, a printing roller mounted thereon and shiftable longitudinally, a comparatively long roller platen with which the printing roller, in various positions, may coact, a slidable shiftable coupling connecting said shaft with one end of said printing roller, a feeding roller carried by said shaft beyond said coupling and engaging the same platen beyond. the printing roller, said feedin roller being slidable on its shaft and being cupshaped on the side adjacent the couplingand thus adapted to surround it.

15. In a printing device, the combination of a member eccentrically mounted, niechanism for turning such mounting, including a cam and a lever adapted to swing in either direction from an intermediate position, and mechanism tending to hold theelever in its intermediate position, comprising a rock shaft connected to the lever, a pair of arms on the rock shaft, each having a loose play connection therewith, and spring means acting on both arms.

16. In a printing device, the combination of an eccentrically mounted printing memher, mechanism for turning the eccentric mounting, including a cam and an arm c'arrying a cam roller, said arm being rigid on a rock shaft, a pair of arms having loose play connection with said rock shaft, said arms extending onto opposite sides of a stop, and a tension spring anchored to the two arms and giving them the tendency to engage op- 10 posite sides of the stop, whereby when the roller arm is moved in either direction the spring is stretched while one of the arms acts as an anchorage.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

JOHN A. HIJLT. 

